Senator Ahmad Lawan (APC, Yobe) has finally reacted to reports making round on social media of plans to amend the constitution to make Muhammadu Buhari life president if made Senate President.
Yesterday, rumours went round on social media suggesting that Lawan had promised to amend the constitution at the beginning of the 9th assembly to allow Buhari stay in office beyond 2023.
This came barely 48 hours after the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) announced Lawan as its preferred candidate for the Senate President position in the 9th assembly.
Igbere TV recalls that the National Chairman of the APC, Adams Oshiomhole had on Monday night, presented Lawan as “the next senate president” in a meeting Buhari had with Senators-elect of the ruling party in Abuja.
Reacting to the report, however, Spokesman of the Senate, Senator Aliyu Abdullahi in a statement obtained by Igbere TV on Thursday, described the report as fake.
He said the report was a desperate plot concocted by “evil and desperate politicians” bent on frustrating the emergence of Lawan as Senate President in the 9th assembly.
“This is just a very desperate attempt by detractors and some politicians who want to taint the good image of the Senate Leader, and the future Senate President, Senator Ahmad Lawan.
“When we (Senators) met the President two days ago, he (President) was very emphatic that he has stood for election five times, and this is his last.
“The President made it clear that he wants to retire quietly to his home, on the basis of which he is going to work very hard these four years since Nigerians have given him this opportunity, to leave a lasting legacy behind.
“The President’s statement clearly shows that he is a full democrat who knows that our constitution only provides for second term which he has gotten, and for which he is grateful to Nigerians.
“Therefore, to come back to say that Senator Ahmad Lawan will amend the constitution to keep him in office beyond 2023 is just the height of evil thinking and bad politics taken too far.
“The public should discountenance that and focus on supporting a very genuine and transparent process that will lead to the emergence of our own choice leaders as Senators-elect when the 9th Senate unveils,” the statement read.
